SIGN UPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE WORKSHOP

(HONOLULU) – A workshop for landowners and land managers interested in managing their land for forestry will be held on June 30 on O‘ahu to provide information on programs that can help them implement their forestry projects. The West O‘ahu Soil and Water Conservation District and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) have partnered with Nick Dudley, research forester, of the Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center (HARC) to present this event. Register today to explore how agroforestry, native forest management, and small-scale high value hardwood production can optimize your land function and value. Workshop is limited to 30 attendees.

“The Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center (HARC) supports landowners with stewardship projects including the production of high value hardwoods. In this workshop we will explore two research trials that focus on koa wilt resistance, which sets the stage for restoring healthy Hawaiian forests,” said Dudley.

Koa wilt, caused by the Fusarium oxysporum fungus, is a serious and often fatal disease, particularly for those trees in elevations below 3,000 feet. Trees affected with the disease rapidly lose their canopies often resulting in death. This has made many land managers reluctant to plant this species. 25 years of studies, breeding, and ecoregion specific trials conducted by HARC have resulted in the discovery of and selection for naturally occurring genetic resistance in families of koa. Ecoregion specific seeding orchards developed with HARC and partners across the state produce seeds with koa wilt resistance. The story of this success is coupled with other novel grow-out operations at the Maunawili Experiment station including koa and sandalwood companion plantings and koa shade-grown coffee orchards.